Patents by Inventor William Bull

William Bull has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180005517
    Abstract: Handheld electronic devices are provided that have remote control functionality and gesture recognition features. The handheld electronic device may have remote control functionality in addition to cellular telephone, music player, or handheld computer functionality. The handheld electronic devices may have a touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may recognize gestures performed by a user on the touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may generate remote control signals from gestures that the handheld electronic device may recognize. A media system may receive the remote control signals and may take appropriate action. The touch sensitive display screen may be used to present the user with information about the media system such as the current volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Eric James Hope, Alan Cannistraro, Policarpo Wood, William Bull
  • Patent number: 9767681
    Abstract: Handheld electronic devices are provided that have remote control functionality and gesture recognition features. The handheld electronic device may have remote control functionality in addition to cellular telephone, music player, or handheld computer functionality. The handheld electronic devices may have a touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may recognize gestures performed by a user on the touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may generate remote control signals from gestures that the handheld electronic device may recognize. A media system may receive the remote control signals and may take appropriate action. The touch sensitive display screen may be used to present the user with information about the media system such as the current volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric James Hope, Alan Cannistraro, Policarpo Wood, William Bull
  • Patent number: 9557877
    Abstract: Media players and associated methods are described that may allow a user to initiate playback of content or other media assets based on information associated with content. A media player may receive information associated with content from a user selection of a song, movie, photo, or the like. Based on the information, the media player may procure other additional content to be added to a playlist. The media player may automatically add to a playlist or modify a playlist with content that matches a user's preferences for artists, albums, genres, or the like. The user may interact with the media player to determine what content is added and how a playlist should be mixed. The user may specify how much of any content procured by the media player should be present in the playlist without the need to specify each individual item that constitutes a playlist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William Bull, Ben Rottler
  • Publication number: 20150149920
    Abstract: A graphical user interface (“GUI”) can be presented on a remote control accessory device that has user input and display devices. The GUI can be defined and managed by a portable media device that is controlled using the GUI. The portable media device can provide the accessory with a GUI image to be displayed. The accessory can send information to the portable media device indicative of a user operation of an input device in response to the displayed image. The portable media device can process this input to identify the action requested by the user and take the appropriate action, which can include updating the GUI image provided to the accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Alsina, Szu Wen Huang, William Bull, Anthony M. Fadell, Jesse Lee Dorogusker, Emily Clark Schubert, Shyam S. Toprani
  • Publication number: 20150123314
    Abstract: The present invention relates at least in part to methods for the manufacture of shape memory polymer (SMP) materials. Particularly, although not exclusive, the present invention relates to processes for the formation of complex shaped devices composed of shape memory polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Malcolm Brown, Horacio Montes de Oca Balderas, Michael Andrew Hall, Alan William Bull, David Franklin Farrar, Philip Caton-Rose, Philip David Coates, Glen Thompson, Michael Martyn, Ian MacMillan Ward, Mark James Bonner, Peter John Hine, Paul Unwin, Michael Woodhead
  • Publication number: 20150073476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising shape memory polymer (SMP) materials and uses thereof. Particularly, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to biocompatible shape memory polymer (SMP) materials and uses thereof in the medical field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Malcolm Brown, Horacio Montes de Oca Balderas, Michael Andrew Hall, Alan William Bull, David Franklin Farrar, Philip Caton-Rose, Philip David Coates, Glen Thompson, Michael Martyn, Ian MacMillan Ward, Mark James Bonner, Peter John Hine, Paul Unwin, Robin Anthony Chivers, Michael Woodhead
  • Patent number: 8970647
    Abstract: A graphical user interface (“GUI”) can be presented on a remote control accessory device that has user input and display devices. The GUI can be defined and managed by a portable media device that is controlled using the GUI. The portable media device can provide the accessory with a GUI image to be displayed. The accessory can send information to the portable media device indicative of a user operation of an input device in response to the displayed image. The portable media device can process this input to identify the action requested by the user and take the appropriate action, which can include updating the GUI image provided to the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Alsina, Szu Wen Huang, William Bull, Anthony M. Fadell, Jesse Lee Dorogusker, Emily Clark Schubert, Shyam S. Toprani
  • Patent number: 8930817
    Abstract: A system and method for providing photographic slideshows with theme elements is provided. Each photograph and each theme element may be associated with different contextual information. The contextual information may include, for example, locations, time and date, calendar events, user preference or history information, or any other suitable information. In response to receiving a selection of contextual information, the electronic device may identify photographs and theme elements associated with contextual information to generate a photographic slideshow. Alternatively, in response to receiving a selection of at least one photograph or theme element, the electronic device may identify contextual information associated with the selected photograph or theme element to identify other photographs and theme elements associated with the identified contextual information for generating a photographic slideshow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William Bull, Kourtny Minh Hicks, Eric James Hope
  • Patent number: 8898568
    Abstract: An audio user interface that provides audio prompts that help a user interact with a user interface of an electronic device is disclosed. The audio prompts can provide audio indicators that allow a user to focus his or her visual attention upon other tasks such as driving an automobile, exercising, or crossing a street, yet still enable the user to interact with the user interface. An intelligent path can provide access to different types of audio prompts from a variety of different sources. The different types of audio prompts may be presented based on availability of a particular type of audio prompt. As examples, the audio prompts may include pre-recorded voice audio, such as celebrity voices or cartoon characters, obtained from a dedicate voice server. Absent availability of pre-recorded or synthesized audio data, non-voice audio prompts may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William Bull, Ben Rottler, Jonathan A. Schiller
  • Publication number: 20140333561
    Abstract: Media players and associated methods are described that may allow a user to navigate content or other media assets. A media player or portable media device, can include features for generating and utilizing navigation information for navigating content, such as audio books. An audio book may be analyzed to determine one or more locations within the audio book that represent chapters, paragraphs, sentences, or the like. Navigation information may be generated indicative of the one or more locations that may be used by a media player or portable media device to play content in the audio book. The navigation information may include audio clips extracted from the audio book to represent the chapters and the like. In addition, a user may navigate content in response to predetermined user motions. A media player may scroll through content based on the predetermined user motions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: William Bull, Ben Rottler
  • Publication number: 20140309691
    Abstract: The present invention relates at least in part to surgical devices which comprise a shape memory polymer material composition. Particularly, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a fixation device e.g. an anchor device e.g. a suture anchor which comprises a shape memory material. Included in the present invention are anchor devices e.g. suture anchors which are formed entirely of a shape memory polymer material. Embodiments of the present invention comprise hybrid suture anchors, particularly suture anchors which are formed from a shape memory polymer material and a non-shape memory material. Methods of securing an anchor in a bone or tissue are also included in the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Malcolm Brown, Horacio Montes de Oca Balederas, Michael Andrew Hall, Alan William Bull, David Franklin Farrar, Philip Caton-Rose, Philip David Coates, Glen Thompson, Michael Martyn, Ian MacMillian Ward, Mark James Bonner, Peter John Hine
  • Publication number: 20140298176
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the scrolling of user interfaces of electronic devices are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: William Bull, Kourtny Minh Hicks, Policarpo Wood, Eric James Hope
  • Patent number: 8826132
    Abstract: Media players and associated methods are described that may allow a user to navigate content or other media assets. A media player or portable media device, can include features for generating and utilizing navigation information for navigating content, such as audio books. An audio book may be analyzed to determine one or more locations within the audio book that represent chapters, paragraphs, sentences, or the like. Navigation information may be generated indicative of the one or more locations that may be used by a media player or portable media device to play content in the audio book. The navigation information may include audio clips extracted from the audio book to represent the chapters and the like. In addition, a user may navigate content in response to predetermined user motions. A media player may scroll through content based on the predetermined user motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William Bull, Ben Rottler
  • Patent number: 8819553
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for on-the-fly playlist shuffling. There can be multiple ways to perform the shuffling. In one instance, the electronic device can organize a new playlist by sorting the media files based on a parameter. In another instance, the electronic device can organize a new playlist by shuffling the media files. In yet another instance, the electronic device can first sort the media files into groups of media files based on a parameter. The electronic device can then shuffle the media files within each group. In this manner, the media files can be randomized but only within each group. In all instances, the current media file can continue to play without any interruption. Finally, the electronic device can sort the media files based on the context of the media file that is currently playing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Policarpo Wood, Eric James Hope, William Bull
  • Publication number: 20140237222
    Abstract: A portable media player may provide multi-modes for a user. Each mode may define different features and content that are customized for a particular mode. Based a selected mode, the media player may provide access to only content, features, hardware, user interface elements, and the like that the user wishes to have access to when the mode is enabled. The media player may provide the user different experiences, looks and feels for each mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William Bull, Ben Rottler
  • Publication number: 20140095998
    Abstract: Media players and associated methods are described that may allow a user to initiate playback of content or other media assets based on information associated with content. A media player may receive information associated with content from a user selection of a song, movie, photo, or the like. Based on the information, the media player may procure other additional content to be added to a playlist. The media player may automatically add to a playlist or modify a playlist with content that matches a user's preferences for artists, albums, genres, or the like. The user may interact with the media player to determine what content is added and how a playlist should be mixed. The user may specify how much of any content procured by the media player should be present in the playlist without the need to specify each individual item that constitutes a playlist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William Bull, Ben Rottler
  • Patent number: 8683378
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the scrolling of user interfaces of electronic devices are provided. For example, a user interface may provide various visual, aural, and tactile enhancements for increasing the ease and speed with which a user may scroll through a list of listings to highlight a particular listing. Each listing may be associated with a particular entry in a media library. Moreover, each listing may be associated with one of multiple sublists in the list of listings, and each sublist may be defined based on a characteristic of a first piece of metadata associated with each entry in the media library. The various visual, aural, and tactile enhancements may be provided based on a relationship between a previously highlighted listing and a currently highlighted listing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William Bull, Kourtny Minh Hicks, Policarpo Wood, Eric James Hope
  • Patent number: 8683197
    Abstract: Video data files are provided to a user for playback. Once playback begins, the methods and apparatus of the present invention enable a user to interrupt the video playback function and quickly resume playback prior to reloading the selected video file. The techniques of the present invention can store video data in a cache memory and, upon interruption, capture a frame of video data at approximately the time of the interruption. The captured frame and cache data can be used to provide the user with a unique menu option for resumption of the video playback at the moment of interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William Bull, Kourtny Minh Hicks, Aram Lindahl
  • Patent number: D768241
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited
    Inventors: William Bull, Richard Adams, Philippe Ragot, Carlo Brunelli, Lisa Olivieri, Jeffrey Schons, Alec Johnson
  • Patent number: D770505
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William Bull, Kourtny Hicks, Eric Hope, Policarpo Wood